Prince Harry faces backlash over ‘aviation legend’ award

Eyebrows have been raised after it was announced Prince Harry would be inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame alongside legends such as Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

Prince Harry served in the British military for 10 years. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry is facing new backlash after it was announced he would be named a “living legend” and inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame, which already features iconic names including moon explorers Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

Controversial author – and reported Sussex mouthpiece – Omid Scobie said the Duke of Sussex would be honoured at a ceremony in Los Angeles on January 19.

Prince Harry served in the British military for 10 years. Picture: Getty Images

“Prince Harry is to be inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame, joining other aviators who have made “significant contributions in the aerospace industry,” Scobie wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Duke of Sussex is being honoured as an aviation legend due to his experience flying as a pilot in the British Army, the New York Post reported.

Prince Harry served for a decade in the British military and completed two tours of Afghanistan where he flew in combat missions.

Prince Harry and Prince William both attended Sandhurst but the Duke of Sussex was left out of a Sandhurst alumni book that included a foreword written by his brother. Picture: AFP

The exiled royal, who rose to the rank of Captain during his time in the military, famously spoke of his time in the army in his controversial memoir, Spare, in which he called his victims “chess pieces taken off a board, bad guys eliminated before they kill the good guys”.

Prince Harry is also the founder of the Invictus Games, for which he is also set to be honoured at the ceremony, which will be hosted by John Travolta as the “Official Ambassador of Aviation.”

Prince Harry won’t be the only big name as Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Elon Musk, and Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud will also be honoured.

Prince Harry during one of his two tours to Afghanistan. Picture: AFP

Other space legends such as US navy pilot Fred George and former world speed record holder Steve Hinton will also be inducted.

It wasn’t long until social media users rushed to slam the decision, as they questioned if the Duke of Sussex was deserving of the honour.

“I look forward to every other military pilot in the world being given the same award based on his accomplishments in that field,” one person wrote.

Another added, “Is this a joke? What is the legendary stuff that he has done? I am asking seriously! What the heck has he done?”

The speaks with Prince William and Prince Harry after the Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006. Picture: AFP

“This is a joke, he has done nothing to earn this,” another wrote, as another added, “How much did the award cost him?”

Despite the criticism, some social media users defended Prince Harry.

“Amazing to see the United States giving a big (middle finger) to the UK and giving Harry his flowers. This guy served his country for 10 years and two tours. He deserves respect,” wrote one.

Another added, “Absolutely wonderful! Congrats Prince Harry!”

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games to help wounded veterans. Picture: Getty Images

Following Scobie’s announcement, the event praised Prince Harry for his charity work.

“Prince Harry is a humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate, and environmentalist,” they wrote on their website.

“He has dedicated his life to advancing causes that he is passionate about and that bring about permanent change for people and places.”

The event also praised the duke’s “compassion, vulnerability, and unflinching honesty” in his bombshell memoir, released last January.

And while he’s set to be honoured at the ceremony, Prince Harry was sensationally snubbed from military academy Sandhurst’s guide to its most notable alumni — despite his brother Prince William writing the foreword in the book.

– with the New York Post

Originally published as Prince Harry faces backlash over ‘aviation legend’ award